One in custody, over 4,000 plants discovered in marijuana grow bust; Humboldt County Sheriff's Office: More arrests expected

Thousands of marijuana plants were found after the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Community Response Unit served a search warrant in Rio Dell, following a month-long investigation that led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man.

According to a press release, deputies served the warrant on five storage units on Northwestern Avenue, located in the old Eel River Saw Mills Industrial Park, on Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival, deputies located a "sophisticated" marijuana grow operation in the units, including about 4,300 growing marijuana plants ranging in height from 3 inches to 5 feet, and about 76 pounds of dried, processed marijuana and 49 peyote buttons.

Deputies also found two aggressive pit bull terriers and evidence that an individual lived at the site. While deputies were searching the property, the resident -- identified as Geoffrey Allen Davis -- arrived. Davis was arrested on suspicion of cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana and possession of an illicit drug. He was booked into the Humboldt County jail and released.

Davis' girlfriend took custody of the two dogs.

Although some of the storage units had medical marijuana cards posted, all of the marijuana discovered was removed due to the size of the grow and additional evidence, the release states. Deputies are continuing to investigate the involvement of other possible suspects, and the issuance of future arrest warrants is anticipated.

The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity to call the sheriff's office at 445-7251 or the sheriff's office crime tip line at 268-2539.